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Call me Maybe?

In the millennial generation, talking on the phone is not a skill that comes easily to us. We are constantly communicating through means of written communication such as texting, and emailing. When entering the workforce, especially in the field of recruiting it is important to break away from written communication, and learn how to pick up the phone and talk to someone. Picking up the phone and talking to someone directly is often times a much easier way to communicate as, it is quicker than an email or text message, and it reduces the chance of your message being misconstrued. Building relationships via the phone is critical to success in both recruiting as well as business.

Talking on the phone to professionals is not something that is easy to do. It will take a lot of skill and practice to perfect. The first time my boss asked me to call someone, rather than emailing them I went through in my head about 100 times what I was going to say before I picked up the phone. A certain phone etiquette must be followed if you want a business professional to take you seriously. These five tips will ensure that your message comes through loud and clear.

1. Make sure you speak clearly and use a tone of voice that will appeal to the person.

If you are the type of person that has a sing-songy tone of voice especially when talking on the phone, try to leave that behind. A high pitch tone could give the perception that you are young, and often times inexperienced. Try to be very direct in your tone of voice, and to annunciate your words so that they can hear you clearly.

2. Do not interrupt the person you are talking to.

I know that often times this does not happen on purpose, but as you are talking to a business professional be sure to hear them out. It is important that they get their point across and do not feel as if you are disregarding what they are trying to say. I know you probably have a list of questions especially if you are a recruiter; however, interruptions interrupt the consistent flow of communication

3. Be mindful of their day.

Business professionals are typically very busy people. Make sure you are not catching them in the middle of a meeting, or as they are about to run into one. You also need to be sure that you do not keep them on the phone for too long, and try to get your point across quickly. At the end of the call be sure to thank them for their time.

4. Use oral cues.

Since this is not a face-to-face communication, it is important to show that you are actively listening. You can easily do this by using oral cues such as “mhmm”, or “yes” now and then to show that you understand what they are saying, and you are listening to them.

5. Be prepared to answer questions.

Before calling make sure to think of potential questions a professional may ask you. If you do not know the answer to a simple question, it will come off unprofessional. Also, be sure to have someone to direct questions to if you do not have an answer right away.

Now that you know these tips, you are better equipped to speak to business professionals. It is important to remember that you will feel nervous at first, and it definitely takes some getting used to. Do not be afraid to push yourself out of your comfort zone, because over time it will become more natural, and something you will not even have to think twice about. Give it a shot, you will be amazed by the conversations you can have and the people you will meet.